JOHOR BARU: Most hoteliers are expecting a large turnout for reunion dinners and receptions this Chinese New Year eve.
It is just three days to go before the big affair where Chinese families meet in a once-a-year tradition.
As the Covid-19 restrictions in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations this year have been relaxed, many people are expected to return to their hometowns after missing their reunion dinners the last two years.
Recently, Health Minister Khairy Jamaludin said the Chinese New Year standard operating procedure (SOP) would be slightly eased compared with last year as many people had received their Covid-19 vaccination.
Several hotels here have recorded a surge in bookings for reunion dinners this time around.
Hoteliers said they will also adhere to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
"Although there is the threat of the Omicron variant this year, we have more people who have been vaccinated compared with last year.
"Last Chinese New Year, the government only allowed people to move within a certain radius for the reunion dinner, but this year we will let people go home to see their family and friends," Khairy said.
Ponderosa Golf and Country Resort (PGCR) has seen a slight increase in bookings this year.
Its general manager Tan Kai Yang said there is about 20 per cent increase as compared to the Movement Control Order period where no dine-in was allowed.
He said for this coming Chinese New Year, PGCR has come up with a special menu for people to choose from.
"Yee Sang is a must-have for every Lunar New Year feast as it signifies abundance, prosperity and vigour," he said, adding that the menu has been made very affordable this year because of the recent pandemic situation.
Thistle Johor Baru general manager Robert Lee said they have experienced full bookings for many of its buffet promotions during the last quarter of 2021.
However, he said they were confident that their new buffet and set menu promotions for this Chinese New Year will be popular as well.
"With the relaxed Chinese New Year standard operating procedures announced by the National Unity Ministry recently, we believe consumer confidence will be bolstered and more Malaysians will be making plans for the upcoming holiday period," he said.
The hotel has been receiving a steady stream of bookings and with many Malaysians in Singapore taking advantage of the VTL to reunite with family here, they expect an upsurge of last-minute bookings.
"We are upbeat that the year of the water tiger will bring in a roaring flow of revenue in 2022," he said.
Amari Hotel assistant manager for marketing communications Hannah Supian said people were now spending cautiously and preferred holiday destinations rather than being in the city once the travel restriction was lifted.
She said the hotel was doing quite well for this Chinese New Year season.
"We have reached more than 50 per cent of the target so far and hope as days go by the numbers will increase," she said.
Pulai Springs Resort general manager Sunny Soo said the response for reservations for Chinese New Year Eve reunion dinners at their Chinese restaurant is on the positive side.
They had guests enquiring and making reservations as early as November last year.
The resort will be taking every precautionary measure to ensure the safety of their guests with standardized new-normal restaurant SOPs.
"As for our Chinese New Year buffets in our all-day dining restaurant, reservations are also 70 per cent full as of now. We are still hoping for some last-minute reservations from in-house guests as the hotel is about 80 per cent full during the Chinese New Year period," he added.